October 11th

Hi everyone

 

We got the preliminary results back from the MRI and CT Scan and they are not great.  There is a tumor (whether it is new or part of the old tumor is yet undetermined) in the same region of her brain.  It is only 11 mm in length but it is apparently chemo resistant.  The next steps are to begin Intensive Modulated Radiation Treatment (IMRT) as soon as we can.  The current plan is that we are leaving tomorrow to NYC to see Dr Morton Coleman (and Rae, some friends and the Book of Mormon)  and then go up to Rochester to see Dr Richard Fisher and spend a few days on our farm. These gentleman are experts in this field and are colleagues of Dr Forman - our main doctor.  While Tia and I are 100% sure they will agree with the next steps of IMRT, it will be comforting to hear their concurrence.

 

The IMRT should begin next week with planning and mapping and the actual radiation should begin the following week.  It is currently the thought that she will have 3 weeks (Mon- Fri) of radiation followed by another round of MRI and CT scans.  Hopefully the radiation will eradicate the cancer and we can then be back on the track of prophylactic chemo sessions followed by a stem cell transplant.  Obviously, everything is in flux until we get the scans back after the IMRT.

 

Once we start the radiation I will be looking for volunteers to drive Tia back and forth to City of Hope on certain days.  The actual radiation time is minimal each day. If you are available starting the week of the 24th, please let me know.

 

As always, thanks for all the support and thoughts

 

Jess, Tia and the girls